Hornets Lose Another Close One, Fall To Warriors

The young New Orleans Hornets continue to find themselves on the losing end of close games. Last night in Oakland, the Hornets fought back from a double-digit deficit to tie the game at 92, only to fall to the Golden State Warriors 103-96.

"It's just a tough loss for us, especially when you tie it up, you have a chance to win. All you need is a couple stops and a couple of buckets," New Orleans coach Monty Williams explained. "We just haven't found that closing mentality, a couple guys who can knock down a shot or even get to the free throw line."

Anthony Davis (pictured) started for the first time since returning from an ankle injury. Playing 39 minutes, the Hornets rookie had issues blocking out, but still played a solid game overall (15 points, 16 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 assists, and 1 block). With similar stat lines moving forward, Davis can help his team get "over the hump" in a close game.

Ryan Anderson came off the bench (which he did early in the season before Davis' injury), but still played more minutes (41) than any player on either team. His 28 points were also a game-high, but he didn't register a single rebound.

Golden State tallied 44 rebounds (11 more than NOH), including 16 on the offensive glass. Second-chance opportunities were a big part of the Warriors win.

Former Hornets Jarrett Jack and Carl Landry had big nights for Golden State. Jack finished with a double-double off the bench (16 points, 10 assists), while Landry was one rebound away from doing the same (16 points, 9 rebounds).

"Jarrett was extra amped up (to play his former team), and I was too, man. We didn't need a 5-hour (energy drink), we didn't need a speech, we didn't need nothing like that," said Landry. "We were ready to play yesterday."

The Hornets will play the back-end of a road back-to-back tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers. Tip-off is set for 9:30.